Q&A with Women who are Making a Difference in EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Q&A with Women who are Making a Difference in Effingham County
Sponsored by
How long have you been in business?
10 years in business and 20 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Balancing growth with presence—building and managing multiple businesses while also being
deeply involved as a mother and community member.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Creating stability and opportunity for my family while building something that positively impacts
others.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
You don’t have to do it perfectly to do it successfully. Build systems, ask for help, trust your
instincts, and don’t wait for permission to take up space. Growth comes from consistency, not
burnout.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My husband and children, along with the community I serve—clients, readers, families, and
fellow small business owners who consistently support and encourage my work.
SUSAN PADGETT, Chop Barbershop
How long have you been in business?
5 Years Owning Chop Pooler, 3 years owning Port Wentworth, 30 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Finding employees to keep both shops running on a consistent basis.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
The relationships I’ve made with customers.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Doesn’t matter your age or where you are in life, do it! You will be tired, but do it.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My daughter! My family in general, my Mom, Susan, Wife Alli - and my long term employees who
have been with me since before Chop days like Joey Dasher!
MALLORY MEADOR, Hidden Gem Beauty Shop
How long have you been in business?
One year in business and 3 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
People pleasing
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Making women feel beautiful and being their person to talk to.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Value your people and their time. Make them feel special.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My boyfriend and daughter!
CAROL CIMO, My Saving Grace Boutique
How long have you been in business?
3 years in the business and 3 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Starting up and building while working full time and juggling daily life and family.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Giving me a sense of power and confidence.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Your people matter. Listen to them.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My husband and Mallory.
WENDY TURNER, GLOW
How long have you been in business?
Approximately 20 years in the business and in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Engaging Volunteers
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Watching people realizing there is hope and seeing lives being changed.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Put others’ needs before your own.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
The GLOW “family”—the girls and a couple of men—also volunteers—who have followed me and
supported me and GLOW from the beginning.
JUSTYNE ALBRIGHT, FCS Equestrian Center
How long have you been in business?
10 years in business and 23 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Over saturation of competition for clients, Covid-19, cost/inflation increases and lack of
workforce.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Watching clients grow and accomplish goals they set for themselves.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Find a good support system and even when your at your lowest never give up.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My husband and students.
CRISTY SEARS, Loaded on Laurel
How long have you been in business?
4 years in the business and 4 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Misperceptions of others.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Helping the community and giving back.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Find the people who support you and really know you and stay true to yourself. You don’t need to
change to be accepted. Just be you.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My husband,Gabby, my kids, Apryl, Amber and my loyal customers as well.
ALDEN STRANDBURG, Georgia Hi-Lo Trail & Hi-Lo SORBA
How long have you been in business?
7 years in business and 5 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Organizing volunteers, staff and events in multiple communities while making sure
communication flows to government leaders about our work and getting permissions from each
government for our work.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Seeing the positive impact of higher self esteem being made in the life of local kids across
Chatham County, Effingham County, Bulloch County & beyond.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
If you see something that needs to be built or changed - you can be the person to make it happen.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My family cheers me on along with coworkers and volunteers.
IVY EILERMAN, Owner of 13 Stars/The Railyard, Mortgage
Lender/Branch Manager with Assurance Financial
How long have you been in business?
4 years for venue/ 24 years in lending.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Figuring out how to do it!
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Helping people.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Just go for it!
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My community!
BELINDA POLLET
Attorney at law and Managing Member of Belinda Pollett & Associates, LLC dba Reddick & Pollett Attorneys at Law.
How long have you been in business?
In the industry for more than 26 years. Became a practicing attorney in 2017.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
The most challenging part is keeping up with my self care while trying to be the best attorney for
my clients.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
The most rewarding part of my journey has been the people who have stepped up and showed up during this time of transition for me. It has been so encouraging to find people in this community who cheered me on without any expectations.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
My advice to any female entrepreneur would be to see your business as a calling. Remind
yourself that you have a lot to give to others. Eventually critics will find someone else to criticize.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My sons, Branden and Dillen Pollett as well as my friends Roni Edenfield, Terri Paulk, Penney
Freyermuth Gray, Janet Dasher, Susie Villareal, and Kyshawna Morell and countless others.
REGINA CLONTZ, Effingham YMCA
How long have you been in business?
12 years in the business, 15 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Learning how to say NO.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Knowing that we are shaping a healthier community.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Be clear but kind.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My daughters.
ASHLEY BOYETTE , Ashley Boyette State Farm
How long have you been in business?
14 years in the business, 20 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
I think the biggest challenge is finding people who share your vision and passion for what you do.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
I find it very rewarding whenever I can help someone. I love meeting new people and protecting
what is important to them and their family.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Never give up! No matter how many times you fall down, get back up and try again.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My husband, sons, mother and this community.
SARA STEVENS, Gathered Moms Co.
(as told by nominator)
How long have you been in business?
1.5 years in the business and in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Sara leads a non-profit organization in which she intentionally blends fitness and faith, creating
meaningful opportunities for spiritual growth, physical wellness, and genuine connection.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
By blending fitness, Bible study, and motherhood-focused gatherings, she helps women
strengthen both their bodies and their faith while forming genuine connections.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
They can do anything they put their minds to, and nothing is out of reach!
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
Her greatest cheerleaders are her husband, Tyler, and daughter Waverly, as well as the amazing
community of moms around me.
JESSICA HONEYCUTT, Rincon Day Spa
How long have you been in business?
7 years in business and 25 years in the industry
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Marketing
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
More clientele
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Don’t give up
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
Rebecka Hess
REBECKA HESS, Local Artist & Innovator - Hustler Entrepreneur
How long have you been in business?
5 years in the business and 20 years in the industry
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Balancing creative hands on production with overwhelming demands of marketing, sales, and
places to be.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Seeing the smiles, laughter and pure emotions from clients.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Start with what you have, and don’t wait for the “perfect” time.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My daughter, Kacey.
How long have you been in business?
2 years in the business and 2 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
People trying to steal my ideas
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
To see women wear my ties and feel good about themselves.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Go after your dream no matter how hard it may seem. God will take you places that you never
dreamed that you could be.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
Myself
YULIANTY KUSUMA, MD, FACP, Internal Medicine of Savannah
How long have you been in business?
13 years in business and 25 years in the industry.
What has been the most challenging in running your business?
Navigating the best care for patients through the obstacles of insurance.
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Compassion and care for patients.
What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
Never give up, no matter the obstacles.
Who are your greatest cheerleaders?
My patients.
